Notice2023-01005
Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2023
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Published
January 20, 2023
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentRural Business-Cooperative Service
Abstract
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS, Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), invites applications under the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) program for fiscal year (FY) 2023, subject to the availability of funding. The Agency has $2,000,000 available for the RISE Program for FY 2023. Selected applicants will use Agency grant funds to provide financial assistance in support of innovation centers and job accelerator programs that improve the ability of distressed rural communities to create high wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, and help rural communities identify and maximize local assets. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 13 (Friday, January 20, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3705-3710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-01005]
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Notices
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 13 / Friday, January 20, 2023 /
Notices
[[Page 3705]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
[DOCKET #: RBS-22-BUSINESS-0026]
Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Rural Innovation Stronger
Economy (RISE) Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2023
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS, Agency), a Rural
Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA), invites applications under the Rural Innovation Stronger
Economy (RISE) program for fiscal year (FY) 2023, subject to the
availability of funding. The Agency has $2,000,000 available for the
RISE Program for FY 2023. Selected applicants will use Agency grant
funds to provide financial assistance in support of innovation centers
and job accelerator programs that improve the ability of distressed
rural communities to create high wage jobs, accelerate the formation of
new businesses, and help rural communities identify and maximize local
assets. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in
developing their applications.
DATES: Completed applications must be submitted electronically by no
later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time April 20, 2023, through
<a href="http://www.grants.gov">www.grants.gov</a> to be eligible for grant funding. Please review the
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> website for instructions on the process of registering your
organization as soon as possible to ensure that you are able to meet
the electronic application deadline. The Agency will not consider any
application(s) received after the deadline and that are not submitted
through <a href="http://www.grants.gov">www.grants.gov</a>. Potential applicants may submit a concept
proposal for review by the Agency to <a href="http://www.grants.gov">www.grants.gov</a> by 4:30 p.m. local
time on February 21, 2023 in compliance with 7 CFR 4284.1115(a). The
application and Concept Proposal deadline dates and time are firm.
ADDRESSES: Entities wishing to apply for a RISE grant, or to submit a
Concept Proposal for their project, may download the application
documents and requirements delineated in this Notice from the RD RISE
website: <a href="https://rd.usda.gov/programs">https://rd.usda.gov/programs</a>. Information for the submission
of an electronic application may be found at: <a href="https://www.Grants.gov">https://www.Grants.gov</a>.
Concept Proposals containing elements outlined in Section D.2 of this
Notice must be submitted to <a href="https://www.Grants.gov">https://www.Grants.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Reister, Program Management
Division, RBCS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop-3226,
Washington, DC 20250-3226, (202) 720-1400 or email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#deacbfbdb6bbb2f0acbbb7adaabbac9eabadbabff0b9b1a8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e49685878c8188ca96818d97908196a491978085ca838b92">[email protected]</span></a>. Persons with disabilities that require
alternative means for communication should contact the U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
Funding Opportunity Title: Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grant
Program.
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Funding Opportunity Number: RD-RBS-23-01-RISE.
Assistance Listing: 10.755.
Dates: Electronic applications must be received and accepted by no
later than 11:59 Eastern Time, April 20, 2023, or they will not be
considered for funding.
Potential applicants may submit a concept proposal for review by
the Agency to https://www.grants.gov: February 21, 2023 in compliance
with 7 CFR 4284.1115(a). Submission of a concept proposal is not an
application for program funds.
Rural Development Key Priorities: The Agency encourages applicants
to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities
(more details available at <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points">https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points</a>):
<bullet> Assisting rural communities to recover economically
through more and better market opportunities and through improved
infrastructure;
<bullet> Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD
programs and benefits from RD funded projects; and
<bullet> Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to
the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural
communities.
A. Program Description
1. Purpose of the Program. The RISE program is a grant program to
help struggling communities by funding job accelerators in low-income
rural communities. The primary objective of the RISE program is to
support jobs accelerator partnerships to improve the ability of
distressed rural communities to create high wage jobs, accelerate the
formation of new businesses through innovation centers, and help rural
communities identify and maximize local assets.
2. Statutory Authority. The RISE program is a grant program
authorized under section 379I of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008w). The regulations governing this
program are published at 7 CFR part 4284, subpart L.
3. Definitions. The definitions applicable to this Notice are
published at 7 CFR 4284.1103. In addition, the terms ``rural'' and
``rural area,'' are defined at section 379I of the Consolidated Farm
and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)) and will be used for
this program.
4. Application of Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and
score applications received in response to this Notice based on the
provisions found in 7 CFR 4284.1117, Scoring RISE grant applications,
and as indicated in this Notice. Awards under the RISE program will be
made on a competitive basis using specific selection criteria contained
in 7 CFR 4284.1118, Selecting RISE grant applications for award. The
Agency will award RISE grants in accordance with 7 CFR 4284.1119,
Awarding and Administering RISE Grants.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Award: Grants.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2023.
Available Funds: Funding is $2,000,000. RBCS may at its discretion,
increase the total level of funding available in this funding round or
in any category in this funding round from any available source
provided the awards meet the requirements of the statute
[[Page 3706]]
which made the funding available to the agency.
Award Amounts: The minimum award amount per grant is $500,000 and
the maximum award amount per grant is $2,000,000, as authorized by
Section 379I of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 2008w).
Anticipated Award Date: September 15, 2023.
Anticipated Performance Period: September 15, 2023 through December
31, 2027.
Renewal or Supplemental Awards: None.
Type of Assistance Instrument: Grant Agreement.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants. An eligible applicant must be a rural jobs
accelerator partnership formed after December 20, 2018, and meet the
eligibility criteria found in 7 CFR 4284.1112 and this Notice to apply
for this program. Eligibility exclusions are as follows:
(a) Individuals and individual entities such as businesses, are not
eligible applicants for the RISE program.
(b) An applicant is not eligible if they have been debarred or
suspended or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in
Federal assistance programs under Executive Order 12549, ``Debarment
and Suspension.'' The Agency will check the System for Award Management
(SAM) at the time of application and prior to funding any grant award
to determine if the applicant has been debarred or suspended. In
addition, an applicant will be considered ineligible for a grant due to
an outstanding judgment obtained by the U.S. in a Federal Court (other
than U.S. Tax Court), is delinquent on the payment of Federal income
taxes, or is delinquent on Federal debt. See 7 CFR 4284.1109. The
applicant must certify as part of the application that they do not have
an outstanding judgment against them. The Agency will check the Do Not
Pay System at the time of application and also prior to funding any
grant award to verify this information.
(c) Any corporation that has been convicted of a felony criminal
violation under any Federal law within the past 24 months or that has
any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all
judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have
lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an
agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax
liability, is not eligible for financial assistance unless a Federal
agency has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and
has made a determination that this further action is not necessary to
protect the interests of the Government.
Applications that fail to meet any of these requirements by the
application deadline will be deemed ineligible and will not be
evaluated further.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching. The matching funds requirement is 20
percent of the eligible project costs of any activity carried out using
RISE grant funds. Matching funds must be available throughout the grant
term and applied individually to each RISE activity. Grant funds may
only be used for up to 80 percent of an eligible RISE activity.
Additional information on matching funds is found at 7 CFR 4284.1114.
When calculating the matching funds requirement, round to whole dollars
as appropriate. The matching funds requirement is calculated by
multiplying the total eligible project costs of each eligible RISE
activity by 0.20. The amount of matching funds required for the RISE
activities is then added together to obtain the total amount of non-
Federal matching funds required for the project. Applications that only
provide matching funds equal to 20 percent of the grant amount will be
deemed ineligible due to an insufficient matching funds amount.
A written commitment of matching funds must be provided to verify
that all matching funds are available during the grant period and this
documentation should be included in the application in accordance with
requirements identified in Section D.2 of this Notice. If an applicant
is awarded a grant, additional verification documentation may be
required to confirm the availability of matching funds for the duration
of the grant term.
Matching funds must meet all of the following:
(a) They must be spent on eligible expenses during the grant
period.
(b) They must be from eligible sources.
(c) They must be spent in advance or as a pro-rata portion of grant
funds being spent.
(d) They must be provided by either the applicant or a third party
in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution.
(e) They cannot include other Federal grants unless provided by
authorizing legislation.
(f) They cannot include cash or in-kind contributions donated
outside of the grant period.
(g) They cannot include over-valued, in-kind contributions.
(h) They cannot include any project costs that are ineligible under
the RISE program.
(i) They cannot be used for ineligible grant purposes as stated in
7 CFR 4284.1114, 2 CFR part 200, subpart E, ``Cost Principles,'' and
the most current Federal Acquisition Regulation (for-profits) or
successor regulations.
(j) They can include reasonable and customary travel expenses for
staff delivering the RISE program if written policies explaining how
these costs are normally reimbursed, including rates, have been
established. An explanation of this policy must be included in the
application or the contributions will not be considered as eligible
matching funds.
(k) Applicants must be able to document and verify the number of
hours worked and the value associated with any in-kind contribution
being used to meet a matching funds requirement.
(l) In-kind contributions provided by individuals, businesses, or
cooperatives which are being assisted by the Applicant cannot provide
any direct benefit to their own projects as the Agency considers this
to be a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of
interest.
3. Other Eligibility Requirements.
(a) Purpose Eligibility. Applications must propose the
establishment of an innovation center and/or costs directly related to
operations of an innovation center and/or costs directly associated
with support of programs to be carried out at or in direct partnership
with job accelerators as outlined in 7 CFR 4284.1113. The Applicant
project outcome must accelerate the formation of new businesses with
high-growth potential, improve the ability of rural businesses and
distressed rural communities to create high-wage jobs, and strengthen
rural regional economies. Project funds, including grant and matching
funds, must be for eligible purposes only as outlined in 7 CFR
4284.1114.
(b) Project Eligibility. All project activities must be for the
benefit of communities, industries and residents located in a rural
area, as defined. The Applicant is cautioned against taking any actions
or incurring any obligations prior to the Agency completing the
environmental review that would either limit the range of alternatives
to be considered or that would have an adverse effect on the
environment, such as the initiation of construction. If the Applicant
takes any such actions or incurs any such obligations, it could result
in project ineligibility. Projects involving the construction of an
[[Page 3707]]
innovation center as an eligible purpose are subject to the
environmental requirements of 7 CFR part 1970, as well as the
applicable design and construction requirements of RD and the adopted
codes of the jurisdiction.
(c) Additional Eligibility Requirements.
(i) The rural jobs accelerator partnership must have a lead
applicant who is responsible for the administration of the grant
proceeds and activities. A lead applicant will be the named applicant
on Agency documents and must be one of the following entities listed in
7 CFR 4284.1112(b), which is as follows:
(1) A district organization;
(2) An Indian Tribe or a political subdivision of a Tribe,
including units, divisions and branches of a tribal government engaged
in economic development activities, or a consortium of Indian Tribes;
(3) A State or a political subdivision of a State, including a
special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic
development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions;
(4) An institution of higher education (as defined in section 101
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) or a consortium
of institutions of higher education; or
(5) A public or private nonprofit organization.
(ii) The Lead Applicant must be registered in the System for Award
Management (SAM) prior to submitting an application. The Lead Applicant
must also maintain an active SAM registration with current information
at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an
application under consideration by the Agency. All other restrictions
in this Notice will apply.
(iii) Applications will be deemed ineligible if the application
includes any funding restrictions identified under Section D.6 of this
Notice. Inclusion of funding restrictions outlined in Section D.6 of
this Notice precludes the Agency from making a federal award.
(d) Completeness. An application will not be considered for funding
if it fails to meet an eligibility criterion by the time of application
deadline or does not provide sufficient information to determine
eligibility and scoring. Applicants must include all the forms and
proposal elements as discussed in the regulation and as clarified
further in this Notice in one package. Incomplete applications will not
be reviewed by the Agency.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package. For further information
and program materials, including an Application Template, contact the
RD National Office and/or review the program website at <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/rural-innovation-stronger-economy-rise-grants">https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/rural-innovation-stronger-economy-rise-grants</a>. Application information is also available
at <a href="http://www.grants.gov">www.grants.gov</a>. If alternative means of communication for program
information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) is needed
please contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
2. Content and Form of Application Submission. An application must
contain all of the required elements outlined in 7 CFR 4284.1115. Each
application must address the applicable scoring criteria presented in 7
CFR 4284.1117 for the type of funding being requested.
The Application Template provides specific, detailed instructions
for each item of a complete application. The Agency strongly encourages
the Applicant to use the examples and illustrations in the Application
Template to assist in developing a complete application package.
Potential applicants may submit a concept proposal for review by
the Agency to <a href="http://www.grants.gov">www.grants.gov</a> by 4:30 p.m. local time on February 21,
2023 in compliance with 7 CFR 4284.1115(a). The concept proposal should
be in a narrative format up to 10 pages in length using a minimum of
11-point font and submitted electronically through <a href="http://www.grants.gov">www.grants.gov</a>. The
concept proposal must include all items stated in 7 CFR 4284.1115(a).
The concept proposal will be evaluated by the Agency and an
encouragement or discouragement letter will be issued to the potential
applicant. If a discouragement letter is issued, it will detail any
weaknesses evaluated in the Agency's review, though a complete
application may still be submitted prior to the application deadline.
Applicants who submit a concept proposal to the Agency will not need to
resubmit the same information with their application. However,
submission of a concept proposal is not an application for program
funds. Applicants that do not submit a concept proposal may still
submit a complete application for Agency review.
Only one application can be submitted per applicant, who is defined
as a lead applicant as found in 7 CFR 4284.1112(b). If two applications
are submitted by the same lead applicant, both applications will be
deemed ineligible for funding. Applications must be submitted
electronically through <a href="http://www.grants.gov">www.grants.gov</a>. Applications submitted to the
Agency in any format outside of <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> will not be considered for
funding.
3. System for Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier.
(a) At the time of application, each applicant must have an active
registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting
its application in accordance with 2 CFR part 25. In order to register
in SAM, entities will be required to create a Unique Entity Identifier
(UEI). Instructions for obtaining the UEI are available at <a href="https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration">https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration</a>.
(b) Applicant must maintain an active SAM registration, with
current, accurate and complete information, at all times during which
it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration by
a Federal awarding agency.
(c) Applicant must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance
General Certifications and Representations in SAM.
(d) Applicant must provide a valid UEI in its application, unless
determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.110.
(e) The Agency will not make an award until the applicant has
complied with all SAM requirements including providing the UEI. If an
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the
Agency is ready to make an award, the Agency may determine that the
applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that
determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another
applicant.
4. Submission Date and Time.
(a) Concept Proposal Submittals. Potential applicants may
electronically submit a concept proposal for review by the Agency to
<a href="http://www.grants.gov">www.grants.gov</a> no later than February 21, 2023 in compliance with 7 CFR
4284.1115(a) and as stated in Section D.2 of this Notice. Submission of
a concept proposal is not an application for program funds.
(b) Application Deadline Date. Completed applications must be
submitted electronically through <a href="http://www.grants.gov">www.grants.gov</a> by no later than 11:59
p.m. Eastern Time, April 20, 2023, to be eligible for grant funding.
Late or incomplete applications will not be eligible for funding
under this grant opportunity. The Agency will not solicit or consider
new scoring or eligibility information that is submitted after the
application deadline. The Agency also reserves the right to ask
[[Page 3708]]
applicants for clarifying information and additional verification of
assertions in the application.
5. Intergovernmental Review of Applications. Executive Order (E.O.)
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' applies to
this program. This E.O. requires that Federal agencies provide
opportunities for consultation on proposed assistance with State and
local governments. Many states have established a Single Point of
Contact (SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. For a list of States
that maintain an SPOC, please see the White House website: <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/">https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/</a>.
If your State has a SPOC, you may submit a copy of the application
directly for review. Any comments obtained through the SPOC must be
provided to your State Office for consideration as part of your
application. If your State has not established an SPOC, or if you do
not want to submit a copy of the application, our State Offices will
submit your application to the SPOC or other appropriate agency or
agencies.''
6. Funding Restrictions.
(a) Please note that no assistance or funding from this grant can
be provided to a hemp producer unless they have a valid license issued
from an approved State, Tribal or Federal plan as defined by the
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Public Law 115-334. Verification
of valid hemp licenses will occur at the time of award.
(b) Grant funds may be used to pay for up to 80 percent of eligible
project activity costs. Grant funds may be used to pay for costs
directly related to the purchase or construction of an innovation
center located in a low-income rural area; costs directly related to
operations of an innovation center including purchase of equipment,
office supplies, and administrative costs including salaries directly
related to the project; costs directly associated with support programs
to be carried out at or in direct partnership with job accelerators;
reasonable and customary travel expenses directly related to job
accelerators and at rates in compliance with 2 CFR 200.474; utilities,
operating expenses of the innovation center and job accelerator
programs and associated programs; and administrative costs of the
grantee not exceeding 10% of the grant amount for the duration of the
project.
(c) Applications must include a cost and performance plan for no
more than a four-year grant period, or it will not be considered for
funding. The grant period should begin no earlier than September 15,
2023, and no later than January 1, 2024. Applications that request
funds for a project with a performance period ending after December 31,
2027, will not be considered for funding. Projects must be completed
within a four-year timeframe. Prior approval is needed from the Agency
if applicants are awarded a grant and desire the grant period to begin
earlier or later than previously discussed or approved.
The Agency may approve requests to extend the grant period for up
to an additional two-year period at its discretion. Further guidance on
grant period extensions will be provided in the award document.
(d) Project funds, including grant and matching funds, cannot be
used for ineligible grant purposes as stated in 7 CFR 4284.1114, 2 CFR
part 200, subpart E, ``Cost Principles,'' and the most current Federal
Acquisition Regulation (for-profits) or successor regulations.
(e) In addition, applications will not be considered for funding if
it does any of the following:
(i) Focuses assistance on only one business;
(ii) Requests less than the minimum grant amount or more than the
maximum grant amount;
(iii) The project budget includes administrative costs in excess of
10 percent of the grant amount; or
(iv) Grant funds will be passed through to a member of the
partnership in the form of lease payments or other activities with a
conflict of interest or appearance thereof.
7. Other Submission Requirements.
(a) Applications should not be submitted in more than one format or
in more than one submission. Applications should be submitted
electronically through <a href="http://www.grants.gov">www.grants.gov</a> only. Applications will not be
accepted through mail or courier delivery, in-person delivery, email,
or fax.
(b) To submit an application electronically, applicants must follow
instructions provided at <a href="http://www.grants.gov">www.grants.gov</a>. The <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> website
provides information about applying electronically as well as the hours
of operation. A password is not required to access the website.
Applicants are advised to not wait until the application deadline date
to begin the application process through <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>. The <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>
downloadable application package for this program may be located by
using a keyword, the program name, or the assistance listing number for
this program. Instructions for registering an organization can be found
at <a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html">https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html</a> and should be completed as soon as possible to ensure
that the electronic application deadline can be met. <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> will
not accept applications submitted after the deadline.
(c) There are no specific limitations on the number of pages or
other formatting requirements of an application, but a complete
application should be in a narrative form using a minimum of 11-point
font. The narrative must clearly describe the jobs accelerator
partnership, characteristics of the targeted region and targeted
industry cluster(s), and how the project meets the RISE program
initiatives.
(d) The Agency also reserves the right to ask applicants for
clarifying information and additional verification of assertions in the
application.
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria. All eligible and complete applications will be
evaluated and scored based on the selection criteria and weights
contained in 7 CFR 4284.1117. Failure to address any of the application
criteria by the application deadline will result in the application
being determined ineligible, and the application will not be considered
for funding.
Priority will be given to projects that will leverage next
generation gigabit broadband service to promote entrepreneurship and
entities based in geographical areas with established agriculture and
technology sectors which are focused on the development of precision
and autonomous agriculture technologies as a way to strengthen rural
economies and create jobs.
To focus investments in areas resulting in the greatest opportunity
for growth in prosperity, the Agency encourages applications that serve
the smallest communities with the lowest incomes, with an emphasis on
areas where at least 20 percent of the population is living in poverty,
according to the American Community Survey data or other comparable
data by census tracts or Indian Reservations.
The Agency encourages energy communities to utilize the RISE
program to support workforce development; identify and maximize local
assets; spur job creation; and connect to regional opportunities,
networks, and industry clusters.
2. Review and Selection Process. Applications will be selected for
award in accordance with the selection criteria in 7 CFR 4284.1118.
Applications that cannot be fully funded may be offered partial funding
at the Agency's discretion. If an application is evaluated as an
eligible project, but not funded, it
[[Page 3709]]
will not be carried forward into the next competition.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices.
The Agency will award RISE grants in accordance with 7 CFR
4284.1119. Applicants awarded funding will receive a signed notice of
Federal award by postal or electronic mail from the USDA RD State
Office where the application was submitted, containing instructions and
requirements necessary to proceed with execution and performance of the
award. Applicants must comply with all applicable statutes,
regulations, and Notice requirements before the grant award will be
funded.
If an application is not selected for funding, the Applicant will
be notified in writing via postal or electronic mail and informed of
any review and appeal rights. See 7 CFR part 11 for USDA National
Appeals Division procedures. We anticipate that there will be no
available funds for successful appellants once all FY 2023 funds, if
available, are awarded and obligated.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. Additional
requirements that apply to grantees selected for this program can be
found in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart L; the Grants and Agreements
regulations of the Department of Agriculture codified in 2 CFR parts
180, 400, 415, 417, 418, 421; 2 CFR parts 25, 200, and 170; and 48 CFR
31.2, and successor regulations to these parts.
In addition, all recipients of Federal financial assistance are
required to report information about first-tier subawards and executive
compensation (see 2 CFR part 170). Applicants will be required to have
the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the Federal
Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-282)
reporting requirements (see 2 CFR 170.200(b), unless exempt under 2 CFR
170.110(b)).
The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected
for awards within this program:
(a) Execution of an Agency-approved financial assistance agreement;
(b) Acceptance of a written letter of conditions; and submission of
the following Agency forms:
(1) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
(2) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
(3) Form RD 400-1 for construction projects.
3. Reporting. After grant approval and through grant completion,
applicants will be required to provide an SF-425, ``Federal Financial
Report,'' and a performance report on a semiannual basis (due 30
working days after end of the semiannual period) for the first two
years, and then annually thereafter, with the first report submitted no
later than six months after receiving a grant under this section. The
project performance reports shall include all items listed in paragraph
(h)(2) under 7 CFR 4284.1120.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)
If you have questions about this Notice, please see the contact
provided in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this Notice.
Applicants wanting to apply for a RISE grant please see the ADDRESSES
section of this Notice.
H. Build America Buy America Act
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Pub. L. 117-
58),) requires the following Buy America preference:
(1) All iron and steel used in the project are produced in the
United States. This means all manufacturing processes, from the initial
melting stage through the application of coatings, occurred in the
United States.
(2) All manufactured products used in the project are produced in
the United States. This means the manufactured product was manufactured
in the United States, and the cost of the components of the
manufactured product that are mined, produced, or manufactured in the
United States is greater than 55 percent of the total cost of all
components of the manufactured product, unless another standard for
determining the minimum amount of domestic content of the manufactured
product has been established under applicable law or regulation.
(3) All construction materials are manufactured in the United
States. This means that all manufacturing processes for the
construction material occurred in the United States.
Awards under this announcement for infrastructure projects to non-
federal entities, defined pursuant to 2 CFR 200.1 as any State, local
government, Indian tribe, Institution of Higher Education, or nonprofit
organization, shall be governed by the requirements of Section 70914 of
the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) within the IIJA, and its
implementing regulations. Infrastructure projects include structures,
facilities, and equipment that generate, transport, and distribute fuel
or energy, including electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
Infrastructure projects also include structures, facilities, and
equipment for roads, highways, and bridges; public transportation;
dams, ports, harbors, and other maritime facilities; intercity
passenger and freight railroads; freight and intermodal facilities;
airports; water systems, including drinking water and wastewater
systems; electrical transmission facilities and systems; utilities;
broadband infrastructure; and buildings and real property.
In accordance with BABAA, however, USDA has determined that de
minimis, small grants, and minor components shall be waived from the
requirements of BABAA, pursuant to a public interest waiver that was
granted to the Department on Sept. 13, 2022. See <a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-departmentwide-de-minimis-small-grans-minor-components-waiver-final-approved-03132022.pdf">https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-departmentwide-de-minimis-small-grans-minor-components-waiver-final-approved-03132022.pdf</a> . Under such
waiver, small grants below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold, which
is currently set at $250,000 shall not be subject to BABAA.
Additionally, de minimis and minor components, as described in the
Department waiver, are also not subject to BABAA. Applicants and
projects that are subject to BABAA may request other specific waivers,
pursuant to the requirements posted at the USDA Office of the Chief
Financial Officer Office website: <a href="https://www.usda.gov/ocfo/federal-financial-assistance-policy/USDABuyAmericaWaiver">https://www.usda.gov/ocfo/federal-financial-assistance-policy/USDABuyAmericaWaiver</a>.
For-profit entities and other entities not included in the
definition of Non-Federal Entities, defined pursuant to 2 CFR 200.1,
are not subject to BABAA.
I. Other Information
1. Paperwork Reduction Act. In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), the information
collection requirements associated with this program, as covered in
this Notice, have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570-0075.
2. National Environmental Policy Act. All recipients under this
Notice are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1970.
3. Civil Rights Act. All grants made under this Notice are subject
to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as required by the USDA (7
CFR part 15, subpart A, 7 CFR part 15 Subpart A--Nondiscrimination in
Federally-Assisted Programs of the Department of Agriculture--
Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) and Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VIII of the Civil Rights
Act of 1968, Title IX, Executive Order 13166
[[Page 3710]]
(Limited English Proficiency), Executive Order 11246, and the Equal
Credit Opportunity Act of 1974.
4. Nondiscrimination Statement. In accordance with Federal civil
rights laws and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA,
its Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices, employees, and institutions
participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from
discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation,
disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived
from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity
conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).
Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Program information may be made available in languages other than
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the
responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office; the USDA TARGET
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY); or the Federal Relay Service
at (800) 877-8339 or 711 Relay Service.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should
complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form,
which can be obtained online at <a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-program-discrimination-complaint-form.pdf">https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-program-discrimination-complaint-form.pdf</a>, from
any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter
addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's name,
address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged
discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an
alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter
must be submitted to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20250-9410; or
(2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
(3) Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3141435e5643505c1f585f45505a5471444255501f565e47"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="98e8eaf7ffeaf9f5b6f1f6ecf9f3fdd8edebfcf9b6fff7ee">[email protected]</span></a>.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Karama Neal,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-01005 Filed 1-19-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 20, 2023.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.